RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU)
MIT Haystack Observatory
Summer 2009
A. NATURE OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES
The approach that we have adopted at the Haystack Observatory is to match students with specific members of the research staff for their summer activities. The examples cited below illustrate such projects planned for the summer 2009, and cover both scientific and technical topics in astronomy and atmospheric sciences. If you wish to obtain further information about the projects, please contact the sponsoring staff member at the email address provided.
- The Super Massive Black Hole at the Galactic Center
- HI as a Tracer of Circumstellar Envelopes
- Pioneering Observations with the Murchison Widefield Array: Searching for Radio Transients *
- Pioneering Observations with the Murchison Widefield Array: Exploring the Sun *
- Development of an Optimized Antenna and Other Enhancements of a Spectrometer for the Study of Ozone in the Mesosphere
- Observing the Earth's Topside Ionosphere with Multiple Atmospheric Instruments
- Analysis of Ionospheric Storm Response Using Multi-Instrument Techniques
- Relationship Between Stratospheric and Ionospheric Disturbances
- Investigation of a Thermo-electrically Cooled UHF Radar Amplifier Module
Final projects will be selected based on matching student applicant capabilities and interests with those of the sponsoring staff members. We consider these individual projects as an important, but not the only, ingredient in the summer student program. We anticipate several additional aspects to the REU program:
- Seminars: Seminars for the students will be held by Haystack staff members on various aspects of our research projects. The seminars will be presented to the students on an introductory level.
- Tours of Nearby Facilities: We will schedule tours of the various Observatory facilities (Haystack telescope, Westford telescope, VLBI correlator, Millstone radars, Fabry-Perot interferometer, Digisonde) to acquaint the students with the various state-of-the-art instrumentation at Haystack. These will be generally held following seminars on scientific topics associated with these instruments. Selected social activities will be organized to promote collegiality among the students and staff.
- Group Meetings: In addition to the frequent meetings between the sponsoring staff member and the student, several meetings with all the students will be held to review project status and encourage interactions among the students.
- Final Reports and Seminar: We require the students to prepare brief (2 - 3 pages) final reports on their projects, and to provide feedback to improve the overall program. The students will also present a seminar at the end of the summer.
- Attendance at Conferences: There will be opportunities, depending on available funds and meeting schedules, for the students to participate in national conferences. These may occur during the summer or during the following academic year, and will be planned at the discretion of the sponsoring staff member.
- Follow-up Academic Year Program: There will also be opportunities, depending on available funds, interest and project status, for a student to continue the summer project during the following academic year. This activity will be planned at the discretion of the sponsoring staff member.
- Travel Support: Some limited travel support is available for those students whose homes and colleges are at least 100 miles away from Haystack. We will also assist you in securing airline tickets if that is the selected travel mode.
B. HOUSING
The Observatory has arranged for student housing at Rivier College in Nashua, New Hampshire, which is located about 12 miles from Haystack Observatory. The cost of this housing will be paid by Haystack Observatory. Kitchen facilities are available in the dormitory and, in the past, most students have preferred to prepare their own meals. Dining plans at colleges during the summer months are not always assured. Transportation to and from Haystack will be provided on a daily basis. Students can arrange alternate housing and transportation on their own if they wish. Further details regarding housing, etc. will be provided to the selected students in March 2009.
C. HEALTH INSURANCE
Accepted students must have a current medical insurance plan in place which will cover their health needs during the period of the REU program. Evidence of such insurance must be submitted upon acceptance, before the start of the program.
D. PROGRAM SCHEDULE
The REU program at Haystack starts on June 1, 2009, and ends on August 7, 2009. A uniform start date is preferred in order to conduct orientation activities for the group. The dates of the program are also compatible with housing availability. We cannot accommodate earlier start times. We advise the students to travel to the area during the weekend of May 30-31 so that they can start on June 1st at the Observatory. For students on an academic quarter system or those interested in extending their stay, such requests can be considered on a case-by-case basis.
E. STIPEND
Compensation will be provided as a weekly stipend of $400.00, paid biweekly. THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, WHICH SPONSORS THIS PROGRAM, REQUIRES U.S. CITIZENSHIP OR PERMANENT RESIDENCY TO QUALIFY FOR POSITIONS SUPPORTED UNDER THE REU PROGRAM. Undergraduate students eligible for this program must not have graduated prior to the start of the summer internship in June 2009. The application deadline is February 2, 2009; successful applicants will be notified starting March 2, 2009.
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